CAMPAIGNS

TIGERS

Exposing an Illegal Trade in Tiger Parts in Singapore
A 2003 newspaper article in the Jakarta Post reported that the trade in tiger parts was a lucrative business in Singapore, and Sumatran tiger bones were “worth thousands” in Singapore according to Mr. Sapto Sakti of the World Wide Fund for Nature in Indonesia. The numerous ports in the province of Riau , Sumatra, were said to act as exit points for smugglers to bring tigers to Singapore . It was also reported that dealers in Singapore were thought to be buying tiger bone and pelts from Sumatra and selling it on elsewhere.

Acres decided to investigate whether there was any evidence of illegal trading in tiger parts in Singapore. As a result, in 2003, Acres, in collaboration with The New Paper, conducted a series of undercover investigations into the illegal trade in tiger products in Singapore.

The investigations revealed that alleged tiger parts, including tiger bones, tiger paws and tiger penises, were on sale in Traditional Chinese Medicine stores in Chinatown.

Three shops were found to be selling alleged tiger parts and video evidence was obtained in each case.

The selling and display of tiger parts has been illegal in Singapore since 1994. At the time of this investigation, the penalties for illegal import or possession of tiger parts were a maximum fine of $5000 and/or jail term of three months. The penalties for violating the domestic ban on selling tiger parts and products were a fine of up to $2000 and/or a jail term of one year.

The products were said to come from Indonesia and, although tiger parts were said to be harder to acquire these days, all shopkeepers said that they could probably obtain more stock if required.

The results of the investigation were published in an article in The New Paper. The video evidence collected was submitted to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).

To read The New Paper article click here.
For more on the trade in tiger parts click here.



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